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After six weeks of the regular season, some of you have embraced the numbers that have been assembled by the running backs that are contained on your rosters. Unfortunately, an increasing number of you have encountered injuries, while others have contended with disappointing output due to a collection of unexpected developments.
The reemergence of bye weeks has now provided fantasy managers with an additional factor that could fuel interest in locating alternative options on the waiver wire. That includes the six teams that will be affected this week - Buffalo, Dallas, Jacksonville, Minnesota, Pittsburgh, and the Los Angeles Chargers. This ensures that anyone with Dalvin Cook, Ezekiel Elliott, Austin Ekeler, Najee Harris, James Robinson, Zack Moss, and Devin Singletary on their rosters will have to avoid starting those backs this week.
Regardless of why you are considering your waiver wire options, this week’s recommendations will appear in three tiers - beginning with the most enticing and progressing to runners for anyone that is struggling with desperation. You will also find a group of backs that can be dropped in order for you to secure your replacements. After you've finished this breakdown, you can also find news updates and data-fueled analysis that is designed to help you maximize the scoring potential of your rosters.
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Week 6 Rushing Leaders
| Week 6 Rushing Leaders | Team | Attempts | Yards | YPA | TDs |
| Jonathan Taylor | Indianapolis | 14 | 145 | 10.4 | 2 |
| Dalvin Cook | Minnesota | 29 | 140 | 4.8 | 1 |
| Damien Harris | New England | 18 | 101 | 5.6 | 1 |
| Khalil Herbert | Chicago | 19 | 97 | 5.1 | 1 |
| Joe Mixon | Cincinnati | 18 | 94 | 5.2 | 0 |
| Leonard Fournette | Tampa Bay | 22 | 81 | 3.7 | 2 |
| Darrell Henderson | Los Angeles Rams | 21 | 78 | 3.7 | 1 |
| Aaron Jones | Green Bay | 13 | 76 | 5.9 | 0 |
| James Robinson | Jacksonville | 17 | 73 | 4.3 | 1 |
| Mark Ingram | Houston | 18 | 73 | 4.1 | 0 |
| James Conner | Arizona | 16 | 71 | 4.4 | 0 |
| Ezekiel Elliott | Dallas | 17 | 69 | 4.1 | 0 |
Frontrunners - Running Backs to Pickup in Week 7
These backs should be your top waiver wire pickup priorities among the options that are available on most waiver wires. Some will be more beneficial in PPR formats than standard.
Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots - 11% Rostered
Neither Damien Harris’ rib injury nor his recent propensity to fumble has prevented him from sustaining his role as New England’s primary rusher. That process continued in Week 6, as Harris accrued 18 carries and generated 101 rushing yards when New England hosted Dallas.
However, Stevenson also remained involved in the Patriots' backfield rotation for a second consecutive week. This placed further distance between his current status and Bill Belichick’s doghouse after he had endured a protracted punishment from Weeks 2-4. That occurred in the aftermath of both a fumble and a missed block during the Patriots’ season opener, but the 6’0”, 225-pound Stevenson has now accumulated 19 touches and assembled 85 total yards during his last two matchups. That includes his usage and production in Week 6, when Stevenson carried five times, amassed 23 rushing yards, and accrued 39 yards as a receiver. He also produced his first touchdown of the season.
Capping off the drive with seven. @dreeday32 | #ForeverNE
📺: @NFLonCBS / Patriots app pic.twitter.com/jGYmnB6j45
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 17, 2021
Brandon Bolden’s workload also diminished during the contest, as he was limited to two touches - which was his lowest total since Week 2. It will be incumbent on Stevenson to avoid mistakes that could make him vulnerable for another lengthy punishment, but he delivers the potential to become a valuable resource for fantasy managers as the season progresses.
J.D. McKissic, Washington Football Team - 42% Rostered
Antonio Gibson has continued to operate as Washington’s lead back while contending with his shin issue. The impact of his ongoing injury was apparent during The Football Team’s Week 6 matchup with Kansas City, as Gibson carried 10 times, and assembled 44 rushing yards. He also registered three targets, which was his highest total since Week 1. However, McKissic paced Washington in targets (10), receptions (8), and receiving yards (65).
J.D. McKissic catches a screen pass on 3rd and 16. Wes Schweitzer and Chase Roullier do a nice job making blocks out in front and McKissic picks up 17 yards to convert. pic.twitter.com/WhdAOv8toN
— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) October 17, 2021
McKissic now leads the backfield with 28 targets, 21 receptions, and 215 receiving yards through Week 6 and has now eclipsed a 40% snap share in each of his last five games. Gibson's health should be monitored as the week progresses. However, McKissic will continue to receive opportunities regardless of Gibson's status, as the Football Team has encountered a dearth of receiving options due to a collection of injuries. This elevates McKissic as a viable flex option, particularly for anyone who participates in PPR leagues. McKissic will commandeer an even larger role in Washington’s attack if Gibson is unavailable during the upcoming weeks.
Alex Collins, Seattle Seahawks - 58% Rostered
Chris Carson failed to reemerge from his neck injury in Week 6, which prevented him from regaining his lead-back responsibilities during Seattle’s visit to Pittsburgh. He was also placed on injured reserve, which will extend his absence for a minimum of two additional games. All of which has elevated Collins into a sizable workload as the Seahawks’ primary back. He has now accumulated 148 rushing yards on 35 attempts during the team’s last two contests.
Establish Alex Collins 😤 pic.twitter.com/U2ZXJJ0zGl
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) October 18, 2021
That includes his usage and production against the Steelers when Collins produced 101 yards and a touchdown with his 20 carries. The fifth-year back easily confiscated the majority of opportunities in Pittsburgh, until he was sidelined with a hip issue. Collins has capitalized on his touches and should not contend with significant competition for touches from Travis Homer or DeeJay Dallas - if the injury does not impact his availability on Monday Night. That has secured his place among this week’s top priorities to target from your waiver wire.
In The Running - More Running Backs to Pickup
These are more running backs to pick up for Week 7 and remain available on the waiver wire but are not necessarily must-adds.
Michael Carter, New York Jets - 52% Rostered
Carter will return from his Week 6 bye as the team leader in rushing attempts (47/9.4 per game) and rushing yards (165/33 per game). He has also accrued 43 attempts (10.8 per game) and generated 159 yards (39.8 per game) since Week 2, while Ty Johnson has carried 22 times (5.5 per game) and produced 80 yards on the ground (20 per game). Tevin Coleman has been relegated to 12 attempts (4.0 per game) and 49 yards (16.3 per game) during that four-game sequence.
do your dance @8kMike 🕺@budlight | #BudLightCelly pic.twitter.com/zZvDT4cQqH
— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 10, 2021
Carter also paces the Jets’ backfield in targets (14/2.8 per game), receptions (9/1.8 per game), and receiving yards (64/12.8 per game), while functioning within an attack that ranks sixth in pass per percentage (64.5%). He is also leading New York with a 51% snap share since Week 4, which easily leads Johnson (35.7%), and Coleman (14.3%). Carter is also a strong candidate to commandeer a larger workload as the season progresses. This provides your motivation to secure him while he remains available in nearly 50% of all leagues.
Sony Michel, Los Angeles Rams - 50% Rostered
Michel carried 9+ times during four of the Rams’ five matchups from Weeks 2-6. That includes the season-high 20 attempts that he accrued in Week 3 when Darrell Henderson was sidelined by his rib issue. Henderson has performed effectively whenever he has remained in the lineup. He has assembled 372 rushing yards on 81 attempts while capturing 12 of his 16 targets. He is also functioning as the Rams’ primary back and should maintain those duties if he can evade further health issues.
Sony Michel 15-yd rush #Rams 0 #NYGiants 3 Q2 pic.twitter.com/P2qpeJ6Vsk
— Sports 24/7 (@B_R_R_D) October 17, 2021
However, Sean McVay has also entrusted Michel with a percentage of touches on a weekly basis, and the fourth-year back has performed capably when he has received these opportunities. Michel has now accumulated 54 attempts, produced 205 yards while collecting four of five targets during modest usage as a receiver. Michel remains available in 50% of all leagues and is worthy of consideration as a Week 7 roster addition. Michel would ascend into LA’s lead-back responsibilities if Henderson misses additional time, and the increased workload would fuel a significant rise in his value.
Demetric Felton / D'Ernest Johnson, Cleveland Browns - 9%/2% Rostered
Felton and Johnson could vault into sizable roles if Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt are sidelined this week, as the Browns’ top two backs are both contending with calf injuries. This has created uncertainty surrounding their status for Cleveland’s matchup with Denver on Thursday Night. Chubb was inactive when the Browns hosted Arizona in Week 6, while Hunt departed the contest during the fourth quarter. Felton and Johnson both accrued two touches against the Cardinals, but they have been placed at the threshold of seizing integral roles for the Browns.
Demetric Felton WITH THE MOVES!
HIS FIRST NFL TOUCHDOWN 🔥pic.twitter.com/WmQHjT6VNP
— UCLA Barstool (@UCLABarstool) September 19, 2021
Felton was selected by Cleveland in Round 6 of last April’s NFL draft after he accumulated 2,059 total yards in four seasons at UCLA. He has assembled 90 receiving yards on eight receptions during the year while failing to register a rushing attempt. Johnson is a third-year back who will enter Week 7 with three carries and 11 rushing yards from Weeks 1-6. Felton and Johnson have become viable targets for fantasy managers, during a week in which players from six teams are impacted by their byes.
Dark Horses - Deeper Waiver Wire Running Backs
This group consists of waiver wire running backs that can be added if you are willing to wait for the possibility of a larger role during the year, or consider your situation to be desperate due to injuries.
Kenyan Drake, Las Vegas Raiders - 53% Rostered
The Raiders completed their first matchup following the abrupt departure of Jon Gruden, and the unexpected transformation of their coaching staff provided the potential for modifications in the usage of their offensive personnel. This included the touch distribution among members of the Las Vegas backfield.
Josh Jacobs sustained his previous responsibilities as the primary back when Las Vegas visited Denver (16 carries/53 rushing yards/1 touchdown). Drake was also re-established as Jacobs’ clear backup, while Peyton Barber became a healthy scratch. Drake had entered Week 6 averaging just 4.8 attempts and 11.4 yards as a rusher, along with 3.6 targets and 2.6 receptions per game. Drake’s snap share had also plummeted to 18% in Week 5. However, Drake received his highest touch total since Week 3 and responded by generating 73 total yards and his first two touchdowns of the season.
Meep meep.
The Roadrunner races in for six! @KDx32#LVvsDEN | CBS | #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/QfHnl9Yixb
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) October 17, 2021
Drake’s performance within a reshaped Raider attack does not approach standalone value. However, he has regained status as a viable handcuff for fantasy managers who have Josh Jacobs on their rosters
Kenny Gainwell, Philadelphia Eagles - 28% Rostered
Gainwell had reached the pinnacle of standalone status before his involvement in Philadelphia’s offense diminished significantly during his last two games. This has decreased the rationale for deploying Gainwell as a flex option, but it is premature to dismiss his potential to supply fantasy managers with a productive option before the fantasy postseason.
Let ‘em know, @KENNETHGAINWEL!#KCvsPHI | #FlyEaglesFly
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/NnPOoZQ0E8
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 3, 2021
Gainwell had averaged 4.8 attempts, 6.0 targets, and 50 total yards per game from Weeks 1-4, while his snaps share rose to 39% in Week 4. Those numbers have plunged during the Eagles’ last two matchups, as Gainwell has been relegated to just two carries, five targets, and a 23.5% snap share since Week 5.
However, the same attributes that compelled Nick Sirianni to deploy him with greater frequency earlier this season remain intact. He can still function as a dynamic weapon, and could still ignite statistically if he is operating with a favorable touch total. Gainwell should be rostered in PPR leagues, in hopes that Sirianni will maximize his versatility during the Eagles’ upcoming matchups.
Marlon Mack, Indianapolis Colts - 30% Rostered
Mack remains available in nearly 70% of all leagues, which presents the opportunity for most of you to stash him on your rosters. The fifth-year back is currently embedded below Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines on the Indianapolis depth chart. However, he could resurface in a new environment before the NFL’s trade deadline. His value would rise if he reemerges with a consistent role in another backfield, which would also present the possibility that Mack would become a potential option in your lineups. Particularly as the challenges of injuries and bye weeks escalate during the upcoming weeks.
Mack has now accumulated 20 rushing attempts and generated 71 yards during the Colts’ last three matchups after he was relegated to healthy scratch status in Week 3. Mack also averaged 9.4 yards per attempt with his five carries during the Colts’ matchup with Baltimore in Week 5. However, the rationale for adding Mack surrounds the output that he could accumulate if he is traded into a favorable landing spot. That possibility provides your incentive to secure him this week.
Time To Say Goodbye - Running Backs to Drop
These are running backs to drop or cut from fantasy rosters in order to secure an RB with greater potential to bolster your scoring during the year.
Trey Sermon, San Francisco 49ers - 52% Rostered
You may not be prepared to remove Sermon from your roster. Particularly if you envisioned him as a back who could easily become an integral component in your quest for a fantasy championship. However, optimism surrounding Sermon’s potential output has been replaced by growing evidence that Kyle Shanahan does not regard him as highly as the fantasy managers who drafted him.
Sermon became an unexpected healthy scratch in Week 1, then averaged 7.8 attempts and 33.8 yards per game from Weeks 2-5. However, during the two games in which Elijah Mitchell and Sermon were both available (Weeks 2/5), Sermon was limited to just two rushing attempts 15 rushing yards, and a total of three offensive snaps.
Mitchell carried 26 times, accumulated 86 rushing yards, attained a 64.5% snap share in those contests, and is more likely to receive the largest workload moving forward. You can remain patient in hopes that Sermon will seize a sizable touch total during the upcoming weeks. However, many of you can make better use of your roster spots if you are dealing with lineup issues.
Ty’son Williams, Baltimore Ravens - 20% Rostered
Williams was leading Baltimore running backs in rushing attempts (27/9 per game), and rushing yardage (164/54.7 per game) entering Week 4, and appeared to be the Ravens’ most efficient runner (6.1 yards per attempt). However, anyone who had been starting him during that three-game sequence has been forced to jettison him to their bench. Williams became an unexpected healthy scratch when Baltimore faced the Broncos, then was limited to just 14 snaps, four carries, and six rushing yards in Week 5.
Williams also failed to reemerge in the backfield rotation when the Ravens hosted the Chargers in Week 6, while Baltimore distributed opportunities to veterans Latavius Murray (9 attempts/44 rushing yards), Devonta Freeman (9 attempts/53 rushing yards), and Le’Veon Bell (8 attempts/18 rushing yards). Williams has degenerated from the Ravens’ preferred back to a spectator while the team deploys a cluster of alternative options. This provides the opportunity to replace Williams with a back that can help you navigate through injuries, bye weeks, and other roster challenges.
Ronald Jones II, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 38% Rostered
Jones’ infinitesimal role in Tampa Bay’s backfield continued in Week 6, as the fourth-year back was limited to five rushing attempts when the Buccaneers’ traveled to Philadelphia. That was the third time in four games that he carried five times, while he has failed to exceed six rushing attempts during all six of the Buccaneers’ contests. He has yet to run for 30 yards in any of those matchups, which has resulted in averages of 5.2 attempts and 19.7 yards per game. Jones has also accumulated just five targets throughout the season, and his diminished workload has coincided with Leonard Fournette’s ascension into a workhorse role.
Fournette has now stockpiled 54 carries and 67 touches during Tampa Bay’s last three games, including a season-high 28 against the Eagles. Fournette has also been targeted 5+ times by Tom Brady in two consecutive outings while accumulating 249 total yards during that two-game span. His minimal usage as a rusher and his lack of involvement as a receiver has eviscerated all incentive to keep him on your roster.
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